Technically speaking, the frame of the motor can touch the track or truck as long as the motor brushes are not electrically connected to it. It is the motor brushes that have to be isolated. Many times a manufacturer will connect one of the motor brushes to the motor frame using a metal strap or wire, and then the motor frame is connected to something that contacts the track. Find this connection between the brushes and motor frame and cut or remove it. The motor output wires of the DCC decoder can be connected to the motor brushes (which should not be connected to anything else). The track input wires of the DCC decoder can be connected to anything that picks up current from the rails.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
i just read the post and i need to know what end is the front
The end that has an F, or 1, or F1 (or similar) lettered on the frame. Don't know if the detailing went that far in those older ones. If not - pick one, both ends are the same and they had dual controls.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
hurricane joefi just read the post and i need to know what end is the front